5alpha-halo-4beta, 19-oxido steroids and process for production thereof



United States Patent 3,278,528 a-HALO-45,1-OXIDO STEROIDS AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF Albert Bowers, John Edwards, and Samuel Ladabaum, Mexico City, Mexico, assignors to Syntex Corporation,

Panama, Panama, a corporation of Panama No Drawing. Filed Dec. 20, 1962, Ser. No. 246,014 17 Claims. (Cl. 260-23955) In the above formulae, X represents chlorine or bromine; Y represents hydrogen, keto, p-hydroxyl or a ,8- hydrocarbon carboxylic acyloxy group of less than 12 carbon atoms; Z represents keto, a fl-hydroxyl group or a B-hydrocarbon carboxylic acyloxy group of less than 12 carbon atoms; R, R and R each represent hydrogen or a hydrocarbon carboxylic acyl group of less than 12 carbon atoms; R represents hydrogen or a lower hydrocarbon residue of up to 6 carbon atoms; R represents hydrogen, hydroxyl or a hydrocarbon carboxylic acyloxy group of less than 12 carbon atoms; T represents hydrogen, a-rnethyl or B-methyl; R and T together represents the group in the 16a,17a-positions, wherein P and Q each represent hydrogen or a lower hydrocarbon residue of less than 8 carbon atoms, which may be saturated or unsaturated, of straight, branched, cyclic or cy-clic-aliphatic chain, or aromatic. Typical groups are methyl, ethyl, phenyl, methylphenyl, cyclohexyl, and the like.

The acyl and acyloxy groups are derived from hydrocarbon carboxylic acids containing less than 12 carbon atoms which may be saturated or unsaturated, of straight, branched, cyclic or cyclicaliphatic chain, or aromatic, and may be substituted by functional groups such as bydroxy, alkoxy containing up to 5 carbon atoms, acyloxy containing up to 12 carbon atoms, nitro, amino or halogen. Typical ester groups are the acetate, propionate, enanthate, benzoate, trimethylacetate, t-butylacetate,

ice

phenoxyacetate, cyclopentylpropionate, aminoacetate, and ,B-chloropropionate.

The novel compounds of the present invention represented by the above formulae A and B are anabolic-androgenic agents with a favorable anabolic-androgenic ratio. In addition, they have anti-estrogenic, anti-gonadotrophic, anti-fibrillatory and appetite stimulating properties. Furthermore, theylower the blood cholesterol level, relieve premenstrual tension and suppress the output of the pituitary gland.

The compounds represented by the above Formula C are powerful progestational agents. In addition they have anti-androgenic, anti-gonadotrophi-c and anti-estrogenic properties and are very useful in fertility control. Furthermore, they may be used in the treatment of premenstrual tension and exhibit blood cholestrol lowering and diuretic activities. When applied topically, these compounds are very useful in the treatment of acne.

The process for the production of 5a-halo-4 3,l9-oXido steroids, which is one of the objects of the present invention, is illustrated by the following equation:

In the above formulae, X and Y have the same meaning. as described hereinbefore; R represents hydroxyl,

acyloxy, acetyl or 1-acyloxy-ethyl(1'); R represents acyloxy or hydrogen; R represents hydrogen or ke-to; R represents hydrogen, a hydrocarbon carboxylic acyloxy group of less than 12 carbon atoms, a lower hydrocarbon residue of up to 6 carbon atoms or a hydroxyl group; T represents hydrogen, a-methyl or /3-methyl; R and R together represent keto, or the dihydroxy acetone side chain protected by the 17,20;20,2l-bismethylenedioxy grouping; R and T together represent the group wherein P and Q have the same meaning as set forth hereinbefore; R R and T together represent a sapogenin side chain.

The starting compound (I) of the process outlined above is selected from the group consisting of the androstane, pregnane and sapogenin series, having no substitution or an acyloxy su-bstituent at C-3, an angular methyl group at C10 and a double bond between C-4 and C5. At C-l7 there may be present a ketone, a 17,8-acyloxy group, a 17,3-acetyl group, a 1'-acyloXy-ethyl( 1') group, or a l7a-l'ower hydrocarbon residue.

Other groups which do not interfere with the reactions of the above-illustrated process may also be present in the molecule of the starting compound, such as for example hydroxyl groups protected in the form of acylates or ketals in positions 7, ll, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, or 18; 5 ketone groups in the same positions; lower alkyl groups in positions 6, 7, 11, 12, 15, or 16, and/or other similar substituents.

Examples of starting compounds are the diacetate of A -androstene-3 8,17B-diol, the diacetate of M-pregnene- 313,20f3-dio1, the diacetate of 16a-methyl-A -pregnene- 318,206-diol, the diacetate of 16,B-methyl-A -pregnene-3fl, 20,8-diol, the diacetate of 16a,17a-isopropylidenedioxy- M-pregnene-SBQOB-diol, the acetate of l7,20;20,2l-bismethylenedioxy-A -pregnen-35-01, the acetate of 17,20; 20,2l-bismethylenedioxy A pregnen-35-ol-11-one, the acetate of A -22a-spirosten-3p-ol, the diacetate of 170:- methyl-A -androstene-3fi,17fl-diol, the diacetate of 170:- ethinyl-A -androstene-35,17/3-diol, the triacetate of 160:- methyl-A -pregnene-3B,17a,20B-triol, the acetate of A androsten-17fi-ol, and the acetate of 17u-methy1-A -androsten-17fi-ol.

In practicing the process outlined above, the starting compound (I) is treated with a hypohalous acid, preferably hypobromous or hypochlorous acid, obtained by reacting an N-chloro or bromo amide or imide, such as N-(chloro or bromo)acetamide, with a strong acid such as perchloric acid, or by treating an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hypochlori-te or hypobromite with an acid, such as acetic acid, thus affording the corresponding 50:- (chloro or bromo)-4fl-hydroxy derivative (II).

The SOL-(ChlOl'O or -bromo)-4,B-hydroxy steroids are treated with a metal hydrocarbon carboxylic acylate of less than 12 carbon atoms, which on ionization produces a cation with a reduction potential larger than +0.3 v., with respect to its closest reduced state, and preferably larger than +0.7 v. [see Glasstone, Textbook of Physical Chemistry, 2nd ed. (New York: D. Van Nostrand Co., Inc., 1952) pages 939, 940], as for example lead tetraacetate lead tetrapropionate, mercuric diacetate, silver acetate, and the like, or with a positive halogen donor, in a non-polar solvent, thus affording the corresponding 5a,-halo-4fi,l9-oxido steroids (III).

The positive halogen donor may belong to any of the following groups:

(a) An N-haloimide or N-haloamide of the type represented by the following formulae:

wherein R represents a lower alkyl group; R is an aromatic or aliphatic radical of less than 8 carbon atoms; X represents a halogen of atomic weight greater than 19. Typical examples of N-haloimide or N-haloamide are: N-bromoacetamide, N-iodosuccinimide, N-bromosuccinimide, N-chlorosuccinimide, N-bromophthalimide and similar compounds.

(b) A compound of the type described in group (a) in the presence of iodine, thus improving in some cases the yields of the reaction.

(c) Lower alkyl hypohalites which may be prepared by the reaction of oxides such as mercuric oxide, silver oxide or lead oxide on the corresponding alcohols in the presence of a halogen of atomic weight greater than 19, preferably iodine.

(d) Hydrocarbon carboxylic acyl hypohalites of less than 12 carbon atoms, which may be prepared in situ by the action of a metal hydrocarbon carboxylic acylate of less than 12 carbon atoms which on ionization produces a cation with a reduction potential larger than +0.3, with respect to its closest reduced state, preferably larger than +0.7, on a halogen of atomic weight greater than 19, preferably iodine. Typical examples of metal acylates are lead tetraacetate, lead tetrapropionate, mercuric diacetate, silver acetate, mercuric dipropiontae, and the like.

The solvents which give best results in the present reaction are non-polar organic solvents free from active hydrogen atoms, such as the aromatic solvents, e.g. benzene, toluene or xylene, ethers, for example, ter-butylether or dioxane, halogenated hydrocarbons, e.g., carbon tetrachloride, methylene chloride and the like.

This reaction is preferably carried out at reflux temperature for a period of time which may range from approximately 2 to 18 hours, being accelerated in some cases by irradiation with daylight, electric-lamp light and ultraviolet light.

The 5a-halo-4fl,19-oxido compounds having secondary acyloxy groups, e.g. in C-3, C-17 and/or C-20, may be conventionally hydrolyzed to the corresponding free alcohols, which in turn may be reacylated by usual procedures to give acylates different from the original ones, or may be oxidized under standard conditions, e.g. with Jones reagent, to give the corresponding ketones.

The process for conversion of 5a-halo-4fi,l9-oxido steroids into the corresponding A -19-hydroxy derivatives is represented as follows:

In the above formulae X, Y, T R R R", and R have the same meaning as set forth hereinbefore.

When practicing this process, the starting compound (IV) is treated with a reagent selected from the group consisting of metals having an oxidation potential between +3.045 and +01% volts, inclusive (measured at 25 C.) [see Hodgman, Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 41st ed., 1959-60 (Cleveland, Ohio: Chemical Rubber Publishing Co.) page 1733], salts which on ionization give cations having an oxidation potential between +0.61 and +0.25 volt, inclusive (loc. cit.), and metal iodides, preferably the iodides of alkali and alkaliearth metals, in an adequate solvent.

When carrying out the reaction with metals of oxidation potential higher than 1.5 volts, such as for example lithium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, etc., there are preferably employed solvents free from active hydrogen atoms, e.g.) aromatic solvents such as benzene, toluene or xylene, ethers such as ter-butyl ether or dioxane, halogenated hydrocarbons such as carbon tetrachloride, methylene chloride, etc.

When using metals with an oxidation potential lower than +1.5 volts, such as manganese or zinc, for example, there are preferably used lower aliphatic alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol or isopropanol, or liquid hydrocarbon carboxylic acids of less than 12 carbon atoms such as acetic acid, propionic acid etc. If the reagent employed is a salt, either a cation of adequate oxidation potential or a metal iodide, the reaction is preferably conducted in a polar organic solvent inert to such salts, such as for example the lower aliphatic ketones, such as acetone, or the lower aliphatic alcohols. Examples of salts with a cation of oxidation potential between +0.61 and +0.25 volt are chromous chloride, vanadium (ous) chloride, etc.

Examples of the metal iodides used in the present reaction are sodium iodide, potassium iodide, calcium iodide, etc.

The reaction can also he carried out with mixtures of a metal of oxidation potential between the limits set forth above and a metal of oxidation potential in the lower limit, such as for example the zinc-copper couple.

When a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid is used as a solvent for the reaction under the conditions set forth above, there are obtained the corresponding 19-acyloxy derivatives (V:R =acy1, wherein the acyloxy group is derived from the acid used as solvent. With the other solvents, there are obtained the corresponding free l9-alc0hols (V:R =H).

The 3 and/or 19-acy-loxy (V) compounds are conventionally saponified in a basic medium to the corresponding 3 and/or l9-hydroxy compounds (V:R =H).

The reaction conditions are not especially critical. Thus, for example, when treating a starting compound of the type set forth above with zinc dust in ethanol, the optimum reaction conditions are reflux temperature for an approximate time of 16 hours. However, the reaction may also be carried out at lower temperatures than reflux, for a period of time which may be shorter or longer, which only causes variations in the yield of the final product.

The intermediates described above may be converted into the corresponding 19-nor derivatives by the methods illustrated by the following equation, wherein only rings A and B are represented:

In the above formulae, R has the same meaning set forth previously.

In accordance with the above equation, the A -3,19- diols (VI) may be oxidized conventionally to give the corresponding A -19-al-3-ones (VIII). The latter compounds may also be obtained by oxidizing the corresponding A 19-o1-3-ones (VII:R =H), for example by the Oppenauer method or with chromium trioxide in pyridine.

The A -19-al-3-ones (VIII), as well as the 5 -19-01-3- ones (VII:R =H), may be oxidized in almost quantitative yield to produce the corresponding A -3-one-l9-oic acids (IX), for example with I ones reagent (8 N chromic.

acid in acetone solution).

The conversion of the A -3-ketones with one or more oxygen atoms at C-19 (VII, VIII, IX) into the corre sponding 19-nor derivatives is carried out by known procedures.

. For example, the production of the 19-nor derivatives by alkaline treatment of 19-hydroxy or acyloxy-A 6- ketones by alkaline treatment has been described by G. Winston Barber et al., J. Org. Chem, 20, 1253 (1955), A. S. Meyer, Experientia 11, 99 (1955), and A. Zaffaron-i, British Patents Nos. 820,780 and 853,851, while the preparation of 19-nor derivatives from A -l9-al-3-ones by alkali treatment and from A -3-keto-l9-oic acids by acid treatment has been described by H. Hagiwara et al., Chem. Pharm. Bull. Japan, 8, 84 (1960).

In the latter reference, there is also described a method for producing A -3-ketones (XI) from A -3-keto-19-oic acids by heating with pyridine.

The application of these processes to the intermediate compounds in the present invention makes possible the production of important 19-nor-derivatives, such as for example 19-nor-A -androstene-3,17-dione, 19-nor-A androsten-17fi-ol-3-one, 19-nor-progesterone, 19-nor-17ahydroxypropgesterone, etc., which in turn may serve as starting compounds for the preparation of other important 19-nor derivatives known to those skilled in the art.

The following specific examples serve to illustrate our invention, but are not intended to limit its scope.

PREPARATION 1 A solution of l g. of testosterone in 50 cc. of tetrahy drofuran was added over a 30 minute period to a stirred suspension of 1 g. of lithium aluminum hydride in 50 cc. of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran. The mixture was refluxed for 2 hours, then cooled and cautiously stirred with 5 cc. of ethyl acetate and 2 cc. of Water. Solid sodium sulfate was added, and the inorganic material filtered off and thoroughly washed with hot ethyl acetate. The combined organic solutions, upon evaporation, yielded a crude material which was purified by crystallization from acetonehexane, thus giving A -androstene-3 {3,17 3-di0l.

I By the same procedure, the compounds listed hereinafter under A were respectively converted into the products set forth under B:

drol. lfifi methyl-progesterone 16g niethyl-A pregnene-3fl,20B- 10 16a,17ais0propylidenedioxy-A pregnene-3, 20-dione.

17,20;20,21-bismethy1ene-dioxy-A pregnene-3,11-dione.

17,20;20,21-bismethylene-dioxy A pregnen-Zi-one.

diosgenone 16oz,17wisopropylidenedioxy-A PREPARATION Z A mixture of l -g. of A -andno stene-3B,l7[3adiol, 4 0c.

of pyridine and 2 cc. of acetic :anhydride was kept at room temperature overnight, then poured into ice water. The thus-formed precipitate was filtered, washed with water andl ried. Crystallization firom acetone-hexane gave the diacetate of A ar1dnostene-3/3,17,8-dioi.

'Ilhe compounds listed hereinafiter under A were treated by the same pmocedure to give, respectively, the products sot fomth under B:

17,20;20-21-bismethylene-dioxy-A pregnene-3fl,11fi-diol.

17,20;20,21-bisrnethylene-dioxy-A pregnen-3fl-ol.

A-22a-spirosten-3B-ol The diacetate of A re ene-3 20fl-dio1 p gm )3 The diacetate of lfia-methyl-A pregnene-3B,20fl-diol.

The diacetate of ltitP-nnethyl-fl preg-nene-3B,20B dio1.

The ldacetgte of 16a,17a-is0propy 1 ene iox -A re nene-3 ZO/S-diol. y p g The 3-aeetate of 17,20;20,21-bismethylenedioxy-A pregnene-3fl, llfl-diol.

The acetate of 17,20;20,21-bismethylenedioxy-M-pregnen-3fi- 01. Th? acetate of A -22a-spirosten-3B- 7 PREPARATION 3 To a solution of 5 g. of 17a methyl-A -androste-ne- 3B,l7fl-diol in 100 cc. of anhydrous benzene there were added 1 g. of p-toluenesutlfionic acid and 10 cc. of acetic anlhydnide, and the mixture was then allowed to stand for 24 hours at room temperature. Next, it was poured into ice and water and the resulting mixture stirred to effect hydrolysis of the excess anlhyciride. The benzene layer was separated and washed with 10% sodium carbonate solution and water. Drying, evaporation and crystallization of the residue firom ether-hexane produced the d-iacetate of 17a-methyl-A aandnostene-3B,l7/8-diol.

Following the same procedure, 17a-ethinyl-A -androstene-3,I3,l7,B-diol and 16a-methyl-A -pregnenc-36,170:,205- triol were treated to give, respectively, the diacetate of 17a-ethinyl-A iandrostene-3l3,17p-diol and the triacet-ate of l6a-rnethyl-A -pregnene-3 3,17a,2OB-trioi.

PREPARATION 4 A solution of 1 g. of 17,20;20,2l-bisrnethylenedioxy- A -pregnene-3p,11fl-diol I i-acetate in 10 cc. of acetone was cooled to C. and treated under an atmosphere of nitrogen, with stirring, with a solution of 8 N chromic acid {prepared by mixing 26 g. of chromium trioxide with 23 cc. of concentrated sulfuric acid and diluting with water to 100 cc), until the color of the reagent persisted in the mixture. It was stirred for minutes further at 0-5 C. and then diluted with water. The precipitate was collected, washed with water and dried under vacuurn, thus alfiording a crude product which, upon recrystallization from acetone-hexane, gave 17,20;20,2l-bismethy'lenedioxy-A' -pregnen-3p-ol-1l-one acetate.

PREPARATION 5 A solution of 5 g. of testostenone in 100 cc. of glacial acetic acid containing 5 cc. of ethane dithiol and 4 cc. of a saturated solution of hydrogen chloride in acetic acid was allowed to stand at room temperature for 4 hours. Water was then added and the resulting mixture was saturated with ethyl acetate. The extract was washed with a 5% aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and then with water, dried over sodium sulfiate and evaporated to dryness. Recrystallization from ether-(hexane afforded the cycloethylene dithioketal of testosterone.

A solution of 4 .g. of the latter compound in 3 it. of

ethanol (previously distilled lover Raney nickel) was boiled under reflux for 6 hours with 50 g. of Raney nickel. The metal was there removed by filonation and washed with. hot ethanol. The filtrate was evaporated to dryness, the residue dissolved in chloroform and washed with dilute hydnoch'lo ric acid, then with sodium carbonate solution and finally with water. Drying, evaporation and crystallization of the residue from acetone-hexane furnished A -androsten-17B4ol.

In the same manner 17a-methyl-4testostenone afforded 17a-methyl-A -androsten-175ml.

A -androsten-17fl-ol was treated according to Preparation 2 to produce A -androsten-17fi-ol acetate.

17a-methyl-A -androstan-1719-01 was treated according to Prepana-tion 3 to give 17a-methyl-Maandnosten-l7fl-ol acetate.

PREPARATION 6 A mixture of l g. of A -pregnene-3B,2Ofl-diol in 20 cc. of dioxane and 1.1 molar equivalents of 2,3dich-l=oro- 5,6-dicyano-l,4-benzoquinone was kept at room temperature for 3 hours. The hydroquinone formed during the reaction was filtered off, and the filtrated evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in acetone and filtered through 20 g. of alumino. Crystallization from acetonehexarie gave A -pregnen-205aol-3 one.

The latter compound was treated according to Preparation 5, thus giving M-pregnen-ZOB-ol, which was treated according to Preparations 2 and 4, giving respectively A -pregnen-20j3-ol acetate and A -pregnen-20-one.

Example I Ten g. of the diacetate of A -androstenc-3fl,17,6-diol were suspended in cc, of dioxane. Next, 12 cc. of 0.46 N perchloric acid were added and then 4 g. of N-bromoacetarnide (the N-bromoacetamide was added little by little, with stirring, over a period of 1 hour in the absence of light and at a temperature of about 15 C.). Then, stirring was continued for 1 hour in darkness and at room temperature, following which the mixture was decolorized by the addition of a 10% aqueous sodium bisulfite solution. Next 1 liter of water was added and the mixture was extracted with methylene chloride. The extract was washed with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvent was evaporated, under reduced pressure and at room temperature, thus giving 5u-bromo-androstane-BflAfl,17 8-triol 3,17-diacetate.

Example II A mixture of 5 g. of the diacetate of A -androstene- 3,8,l7fl-diol, 65 cc. of ether, 8 g. of calcium chlorohypochlorite, 300 cc. of water and 6.1 cc. of glacial acetic acid was stirred at 25 C. for 30 minutes. Water was added, and the organic layer was diluted with more ether and separated. Then it was washed at low temperature with sodium bicarbonate solution, then with water, dried and evaporated to dryness. The residue was chromatographed on neutral alumina, thus affording 5a-chloro-androstane-' 35,45,17fl-tri0l 3,17-diacetate.

Example III To a solution of 4 g. of the 3,17-diacetate of 5a-bromoandrostane-3/3,4p,17fi-triol in cc. of dry benzene there was added 6 g. of lead tetraacetate, and the miture was refluxed for 18 hours. It was then cooled, filtered, water was added to the filtrate, the benzene layer was separated, washed with water and the benzene was evaporated under reduced pressure. Upon chromatography of 'the residue on neutral alumina there was obtained the diacetate of 5a-bromo-4fl,19-oxido androstane-3fi,l7fl-diol.

Example IV A suspension of 2 g. of calcium carbonate, 6 g. of dry lead tetraacetate and 1.6 g. of iodine in 200 cc. of cyclohexane was refluxed for 30 minutes in darkness. There was then added 1 g. of the 3,17-diacetate of 5abromo-androstane-3B,4,B,17/3-triol and the resulting mixture was allowed to boil under refiux for a further 3 hours in daylight. The reaction mixture was then cooled, filtered, and the filtrate was washed successively with a 10% aqueous sodium thiosulfate solution and water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness. The residue was chromatographed on neutral alumina, thus affording the diacetate of 5a-bromo-4p,19-oxido, androstane-3fi,17;8-diol.

Example V Example III was repeated, except that lead tetraacetate was substituted by mercuric diacetate, thus afiording the same compound as the one obtained in said example.

Example VI The technique described in Example III was modified in that silver acetate was used instead of lead tetraacetate, thus yielding a compound identical with the one obtained in said example.

Example VII The 3,17-diacetate of 5u-bromo-androstane-3fl,4fi,17ptriol was treated in accordance with Example IV, except that lead tetraacetate was substituted by mercuric diacetate in one experiment, and by silver acetate in a second experiment, giving in each case the diacetate of 5u-bromo-4/3,l9-0xido-androstane-3p,l7fl-diol.

9 Example VIII The technique described in Example III was repeated with the exception that benzene was substituted by carbon tetrachloride, thus giving a compound identical with the one obtained in said example.

Example IX The procedure of Example IV was repeated except that daylight was substituted by light from a 500 watt tungsten lamp. Three g. of calcium carbonate were added to the reaction mixture, and the reaction time was diminished to 2 hours. This gave a compound identical with the one obtained in said example.

Example X A mixture of 3 g. of calcium carbonate, 5 g. of N-iodo succinimide, 3 g. of iodine, 2.5 g. of the 3,17-diacetate of Sa-bromoandrostane, 3,6,4,8,l7fi-triol and 200 cc, of cyclohexane, was refluxed for 1 hour under irradiation with a 500 watt electric lamp, then 5 g. of N-iodo-succinimide were added and refluxing was continued for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was thereafter filtered and the filtrate washed successively with an aqueous solution of potassium iodide, an aqueous solution of sodium thiosulfate, and water, then dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness under vacuum. The residue was chromatographed on alumina, thus furnishing the diacetate of 5a-bromo-4p,l9-oxido-androstane-3B,17,8- diol.

Example XI The procedure of Example X was repeated under exactly the same conditions, except that N-bromoacetamide was used instead of N-iodo-succinimide, giving a compound identical with the one obtained in said example.

Example XII The 3,17-diacetate of Sa-bromo-androstane-Sfi,4/3,17,8- triol was treated following the procedure of Example X with the exception that no iodine was added, thus affording the diacetate of a-br0mo-4fl,l9-oxido-androstane-3B, 17,8-diol.

Example XIII A mixture of 5 g. of the diacetate of 5a-bromo-4 3,l9- oxido-androstane-3fi,17,8-diol, 25 g. of zinc dust and 400 :cc. of glacial acetic acid was refluxed under stirring for 16 hours, at the end of which time the mixture was filtered through celite. The filtrate was concentrated to a small volume under reduced pressure, cooled and diluted with ice water to precipitate the crude product. Recrystallization from acetone-hexane furnished the triacetate of A androstene-lB,17,8,19-triol.

Example XIV A mixture of 1 g. of the diacetate of 5a-bromo-4,B,l9- oxido-androstane-3fl,17fl-diol, 5 g. of zinc dust and 50 cc. of ethanol was refluxed for 16 hours and then filtered through celite. The filtrate was evaporated to dryness and the residue crystallized from acetone-hexane, thus yielding the 3,17-diacetate of A -androstene-3B,17B-l9- triol.

Example XV A mixture of 5 g. of the diacetate of 5a-bromo-4B,19- oxido-androstane-3B,l7,B-diol, 10 g. of zinc dust and 350 cc. of glacial acetic acid was refluxed for 20 hours under vigorous stirring. The mixture was then worked up by the process described in Example XIII, thus aflording the triacetate of A andmstene-SQUB,l9-triol.

10 7 Example XVI A mixture of l g. of the diacetate of 5a-bromo-4/3,l9- oxido-androstane-Elfi,17/3-diol, 6 g. of zinc and 50 cc. of ethanol was refluxed for 12 hours, then filtered through celite and the filtrate was poured into water. The precipitate formed was collected by filtration, washed with water and dried. Recrystallization from acetone-hexane afforded the 3,17-diacetate of A -androstene-3B,l7p,19- triol.

Example XVII Example XVIII The diacetate of 50c-bl0I1'10-4B,19-0XidO-3I1dIOSt3I16-3B, 17/3-diol was treated by the method described in the preceding example, except, that the sodium metal was substituted by lithium metal, thus affording a product identical with the one obtained in said example.

Example XIX The diacetate of 5u-bromo-4/3,19-oxido-androstane-3B, 17fl-diol was treated in the same manner as in Example XVII except that calcium metal was used instead of sodium metal, thus affording a product identical with the one obtained in said example.

Example XX The diacetate of 5a-bromo-4/3,19-oxido-androstane-3B, 17B-diol was treated by the method described in Example XVII except that the sodium metal was substituted by magnesium metal, thus giving a product identical with the one obtained in said example.

Example XXI The diacetate of 5a-bromo-4p,19-0xido-androstane-3 8, 17/3-diol was treated in accordance with the method of Example XIV, except that the zinc was substituted by manganese, thus obtaining a product identical with the one obtained in said example.

Example XXII The diacetate of 5a-bromo-4p,19-oxido-androstane-3 8, 17B-diol was treated in accordance with the method of Example XVII, except that the benzene was substituted by xylene, thus giving the same product.

Example XXIII The diacetate of 5a-bromo-4,8,19-oxido-androstane-35, 17/3-diol was treated in accordance with the method of Example XVII, except that the benzene was substituted by terbutyl ether, thus giving the same product as in said example.

Example XXIV The diacetate of 5a-bromo-4B,l9-oxido-androstane-3fi, l7fi-diol was treated in accordance with the method of Example XVII, except that the benzene was substituted by carbon tetrachloride, thus affording the same product.

Example XXV The starting compound of Example XIII was treated in accordance with the method described in that example, except that the acetic acid was substituted by propionic acid, thus giving the 3,17-diacetate-l9-propionate of A androstene-Bfl,175,19-triol.

1 1 Example XXVI The starting compound of Example XIV was treated by the process described in that example, except that the ethanol was substituted by methanol, thus giving the same product.

Example XXVII The starting compound of Example XIV was treated in accordance with the method of that example, except that instead of zinc dust there Was employed zinc-copper dust. This reagent was prepared by suspending g. of zinc dust in a solution of 3 g. of copper sulfate in 200 cc. of water. The powder formed was used for the reaction, which yielded a product identical with the one obtained in the aforementioned example.

Example XXVIII To a solution of 1 g. of the diacetate of 5a-bromo-4/3, 19-oxido-androstane-3 5,17fl-diol in 200 cc. of acetone was added at room temperature, under an atmoshpere of nitrogen, 60 cc. of a recently prepared solution of chromous chloride (Rosenkranz et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 72, 4077 (1950)). After 5 minutes the acetone was removed under reduced pressure, water was added and the precipitate was collected and dried. Recrystallization from actone-hexane afiorded the 3,17-diacetate of A -androstene-3B,l7fi,l9-triol.

Example XXIX Example XXX A mixture of 2 g. of the diacetate of 5a-bromo-4/3,19- oxido-androstane-3/3,17/3-diol, 2 g. of sodium iodide and 50 cc. of methylethyl ketone was refluxed for 8 hours, then cooled, poured into water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic extract was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness. By crystallization of the residue from acetone-hexane there was obtained the 3,17-diacetate of A -androstene-3B,175,19-triol.

Example XXXI The starting compound of the preceding example was treated by the method described in said example, except that the sodium iodide was substituted by potassium iodide, thus giving the same product.

Example XXXII The starting compound of Example XXX, was treated by the method described in that example, but calcium iodide was used intsead of sodium iodide, thus giving the same product.

Example XXXIII The 3,17-diacetate of 5a-chloro-androstane-35,4 8,17 8- troil was treated according to Examples III and IV, affording in both cases the diacetate of 5u-chloro-4/3,l9- oxido-androstane-3,B,17B-diol.

Example XXXIV The diacetate of 5a-chloro-4 3,19oxido-androstane-3fi, 17fl-diol was treated according to Examples XIII, XIV, XVII, XXVIII, XXIX and XXX, affording, in each case, a compound identical with the one obtained in the corresponding example.

1 2 Example XXX V The starting compounds listed hereinafter under A were treated according to Example I, thus affording the corresponding products set forth under B:

The diacetate of N-pregnene-fifl,

203-di0l.

The diacetate of 16a-methyl-A pregnene-3,B, 20,8-diol.

The diacetate of 17aisopropylidenedioxyl-A pregnene-3fl- ZOfi-diol.

The acetate of 17, 20;20, 21-

bisme thylenedioxy-A -pregnen- The acetate of 17, 2();20, 21-

bismethylenedioxy-N-pregnen- 3B-ol-11-one.

The alcetate of A 22a-spirosten- The diacetate of 17a-ethinyl-A audrostene-3fl,17B-diol.

The triacetate of lfia-rnethyl-N- pregnene-3fl-17a, ZOB-triol.

The acetate of A -audrosten-17flol" The acetate of l7a-methyl-A androsten-17fl-ol.

The 3,20-diacetate of 5a-bremo- 16 3-methyl-pregnane-3fi-4fi, 20B-triol.

The 3,20-dlacetate of 5a'bromo- 16a, l7a-isoprepylidenedi0xypregnane-3B,4B,20B-triol.

The 3acetate of 5a-brorno-17, 20;20, 2l-bismetl1ylenedioxy-pregnane- 35,4 5-dl0l.

The 3-aeetate of 5a-br0m0-17, 20;20, 21-bismethylenedioxy-pregnane- 3 3, 4fi-d1o1-l1-one.

The 3-acetate of 5a-bromo-22aspirostane-3B,4,5-diol.

The 3,17-diaeetate of 5a-bromol7a-ethinyl-androstane-3fl,4fi, 17B-trlol.

The 3,17,20-triacetate of 5abromo-lfia-methyl-pregnane- 3fi,4fl, 11a, 20B-tetro1.

The 17-aeetate of fia-bromoandrostane-dflJZS-dlol.

Example XXXVI The starting compounds listed under A in Example XXXV were treated according to Example II, thus affording respectively:

The 3,20-diacetate of 5a-chloro-pregnane-B5,413,20B-triol, The 3,20-diacetate of 5a-chloro-1Ga-methyl-pregnane- The 3,20-diacetate of Set-chloro-16fl-methyl-pregnane- The 3,20-diacetate of Sa-chlorO-l6a,l7a-is0propylidenedioxy-pregnane-3fl,4;8,20B-triol, The 3-acetate of 5a-c'hloro-l7,20;20,2l-bismethylenedi-oxy-pregnane-35,4/3-diol,

The 3-acetate of 5a-chloro-17,20;20,2l-bismethylenedioxy-pregnane-3 BAB-diol-l l-one,

The 3-acetate of 5u-chloro-22a-spirostane-3pAB-diol,

The 3,17-diacetate of Six-chloro-l7a-methyl-androstane- 3 mane-e101,

The 3,17-diacetate of Six-chloro-17a-ethinyl-androstane- 3 6,413, 17,8-triol,

The 3,17,20-triacetate of Set-chloro-16e-methyl-pregnane- The l7-acetate of 5a-chloro-androstane-4/3,17/8-diol, The 17-acetate of Set-chloro-l7a-methyl-androstane- 45,17,8-diol.

Example XXXVII The final compounds of Example XXXV were treated according to Example IV, thus furnishing respectively:

The diacetate of 5a-bromo-4B,19-oxido-pregnane-3fl,2048- diol,

The diacetate of 5a-bromo-4 5,l9-oxido-l6a-methyl- The diacetate of 5a-bromo-4fl,l9-oxido-16fi-methylpregnane-3 18,20/3-diol,

The diacetate of 5a-br0mO-4B,19-OXid0-l6a,17a-

isopropylidenedioxy-pregnane-3[3,20fl-diol,

The acetate of 5a-bI'Om0-4/3,l9-OXidO-l7,20;20,2l-

bismethylenedioxy-pregnan-Bfi-ol,

The acetate of 5a-bromo-4fl,l9-oxido-17,20;20,2l-

bismethylenedioxy-pregnan-3fl-ol-l l-one,

The acetate of 5a-bromo-4B,l9-oxido-22a-spirostan-3fl-ol,

The diacetate of 5u-bromo-4 B,l9-oxido-l7a-methylandrostane-3fi,17[i-diol,

13 The diacetate of u-bromo-4fi,19-oxido-17ot-ethinyl androstane-3fi,l7[3-diol, The triacetate of 5ubromo-4fi,19-oxido-16ot-methy1- pregnane-3fi,17a,205-triol, The acetate of 5cx-bromo-4B,19-oxido-androstan-173-01, The acetate of 5ot-bromo-4fl,l9-oxido-17a-methylandrostan-l7B-o1.

Example XX X VIII The final compounds of Example X)Q(VI were treated according to Example IV, thus furnishing respectively:

Example XXXIX The final compounds of Example XXXVII were treated according to Example XIV, thus giving respectively:

The 3,20-diacetate of A -pregnene-3B,19,20B-triol,

The 3,20-diacetate of 16a-methyl-A -pregnene-3B,19,2013- triol,

The 3,20-diacetate of 16fi-methyl-A -pregnene-3p,19,20 8- triol,

The 3,20-diacetate of 16a,l7a-isopropylidenedioxyAh pregnene-3B,l9,20B-triol,

The 3-acetate of l7,20;20,2l-bismethyle'nedioxy-A pregnene-3,8,19-diol,

The 3-acetate of 17,2O;20 ,2l-bismethylenedioxy-A pregnene-3B,19-diol-l l-one,

The 3-acetate of A -22a-spirostene-3 8,19-diol,

The 3,17-diacetate of 17a-methyl-A -androstene- 3fi,l7,B,19-triol,

The 3,17-diacetate of l7u-ethinyl-A -androstene- 3B,l7,8,l9-triol,

The 3,17,20-triacetate of l6a-methyl-A -pregnene- 3B,l7a,l9,20fi-tetro1,

The 17-acetate of A -androstene-17t3,19-diol,

The 17-acetate of 17a-methyl-A -androstene-175,19-dio1,

' Example XL The final compounds of Example XXXVIII were treated according to Example XIV, thus affording; respectively, exactly the same compounds as set forth in Example XXXIX.

Example XLI A solution of 2g. of the diacetate of 5a-bromo-4B,19- oxido-androstane-flfi,17/8-diol in 50 cc. of methanol was treated with 5 cc. of a 4% aqueous potassium hydroxide solution and the reaction mixture was stirred at 0 C. for 1 hour under nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture was then neutralized with acetic acid and the methanol was distilled under reduced pressure.

The residue was tritur'ated with water and the solid was collected, washed with water, dried and crystallized from ethyl acetate-methanol, thus yielding Soc-blOl'l'lO- 4,6,19-oxido-androstane-3fl,17,8-diol.

14 Example XLII A solution of 2 g. of 5a-bromo-4B,l9-oxido-androstane- 3,8,17fl-diol in 20 cc. of acetone was cooled to 0 C. and treated, under an atmosphere of nitrogen with stirring, with a solution of 8 N chromic acid (prepared by mixing 26 g. of chromium trioxide with 23 cc. of concentrated sulfuric acid and diluting with water to cc.), until the color of the reagent persisted in the mixture. It was stirred for 5 minutes further at 05 C. and diluted with Water. The precipitate was collected, washed with water and dried under vacuum, thus affording a crude product which upon recrystallization from acetone-hexane gave 5ot-bromo-4fi,19oxide-androstane-3,17-dione.

Example XLIII The first ll final compounds of Example XXXVII were treated in accordance with Example XLI, thus yielding respectively:

Example XLI V The final compounds of Example XLIII were treated according to Example XLH, thus giving respectively:

5 a-bronro-4B, 19-oxido-pregnane-3,20-dione, 5a-br0mo-4B, 19-0xido-l6a-methyl-pregnane-3,20-dione, 5 a-bromo-4fl,19-oxido-16fi-methyl-pregnane-3,20-dione, 5a-bromo-4B,l9-oxid-o-16a,l7a-isopropylidenedioxypregnane-3 ,20dione 5et-bromo-4fi,19-oxid0-17,20;20,'2l-bismethylenedioxypregnan-3-one, 5ot-bI'OI1'10-4B, 19-oxido-17,20;20,2l-bisimethylenedioxypregnane-3 ,1 1di0ne, 5a-bromo-4fi,19-oxido-22a-spirostan-3-one,

' The acetate of 5a-bromo-4B,19-oxido-17a-methy1- androstan-17 [3-01-3 -one,

The acetate of 5a-bromo-4fl,19-oxid0-l7a-ethinylandrostan-l7 5-01-3 -one,

The acetate of 5a-bromo-4fi,l9 oxido-16m-methylpregnan-l7a-ol-3,20-dione,

Example XLV A mixture of 1 g. of 5u-bromo-4fi,l9-oxido-androstane- 35,17fi-diol, 4 cc. of pyridine and 2 cc. of caproic anhydride was kept at room temperature overnight and then poured into ice water. The thus formed precipitate was filtered, washed with water "and dried. Crystallization from acetone-hexane gave the dicaporate of 5 u-bromo-4pf,

19-oxido-androstane-3 e, 17B-dio1.

By the same procedure, the final compounds of Example XLIII were respectively converted into:

The dicaproate of 5nt-bromo-4/3,19-oxido-pregnane-3p,

ZOB-diol, The dicaproate of 5a-broimo-4B,19-oxido-16a-methylpregnane-3/3,20fl-di0l, The dicaproate of 5a-bromo-4fi,19-oxido-16fi-methylpregnane-3 [3,2013-diol,

The dicaproate of a-br0mO-4fi,19-OXidO-16a,17a-

isopropylidenedioxy-pregnane-3fi,20/i-diol,

The caproate of 5a-bromo-4p,19-oxido-17,'20;20,21-

bismethylenedioxy-pregnan-3pol,

The caproate of 5a-bromo-4fi,19-oxido-17,20;20,21-

bismethylenedioxy-pregnan-3 fl-ol-l l-one,

The caproate of 5a-bromo-4fi,l9-oxido-22a-spinostan- The 3-caproate-l7-acetate of 5a-bromo-4fi,19-oxido-17amethyl-androstan-3 13,17 ,B-diol,

The 3-caproate-17-acetate :of 5 a-bromo-4p,19-oxido-17aethinyl-androstane-Bfi,17fi-diol,

The 3,20-dicaproate-17-acetate of 5u-bromo-4B,l9-oxido- 16a-methyl-pregnane-3fl,17a,20;8-triol,

The caproate of 5a-bromo-4/3,l9-oxido-androstan-1713-01.

Example XLVI 5a-bromo-4fi,l9-oxido-androstane-3,17-dione was treated according to Example XIV, thus giving A -androsten- 19-ol-3,17-dione.

Example XLVII 5a-bromo-4p,19-oxido-pregnane-3,20-dione was treated in accordance with Example XIV, to give A -pregnen- 19-ol-3,20-dione.

Example XLVIII A solution of 0.17 g. of potassium hydroxide in 0.2 cc. of water and 2.5 cc. of methanol was added over 30 minutes to a boiling solution of 1 g. of the 3,17-diace-tate of A -androstene-3/9,17p,19-triol in 30 cc. of methanol under an atmosphere of nitrogen. Boiling was continued for a further 2 hours and the solution was then cooled, neutralized with acetic acid and concentrated under reduced pressure. Addition of water, followed by crystallization of the precipitated solid "from acetone-hexane, produced A -androstene-3 5,175, 19-tri01.

The final compounds of Example XXXIX were treated according to the above procedure, thus alfording respectively:

A -pregnene-3fl,19,20fi-triol, 16a-methyl-A -pregnene-35,19,20,8-triol, 16/i-methyl-A -pregnene-3 3,19,20/i-triol, 16a,l7ot-isopropylidenedioxy-A -pregnene-3 3,19,20B-triol, 17,20;20,21-bismethylenedioxy-A -pregnene3{3,19-diol, 17,20;20,2l-bismethylenedioxy-A -pregnene-3[3,19-diol- 1 l-one,

A -22a-spirostene-3fl,19-diol, l7u-methyl-A -androstene-3B,175,19-trio1, 17a-ethinyl-A -androstene-3 8,17fi,l9-triol, 16a-methyl-A -pregnene-3,8,17a,19,20fi-tetrol, A andros-tene-17,3,19-dio1, 17a-1rnethyl-A -androstene-175,19 diol.

Example XLIX The final compounds of Example XLVIII were treated according to Example XLV, thus yielding respectively:

The tricaproate of A -androstene-3fi,l7fi,19-triol,

The tricaproate of A -pregnene-3 ,6,19,20fi-triol,

The tricaproate of 16a-methyl-A -pregnene-3B,19,2018- triol,

The tricaproatle of 16 3-methyl-A -pregnene-3fi,19,2013- tri'ol,

The tricaproate of 16a,17a-isopropylidenedioxy-A pregnene-3;9,19,20}3-triol,

The dicaproate of 17,20;20,2l-bismethylenedioxy-M- pregnene-3B,19-diol,

The dicaproate of 17,20;20,2l-bismethylenedioxy-M- pregnene-3 ,8,19-'diol-1l-one,

The dicaproate of A -2-2a-spirostene-3/3,19-diol,

The 3,19-dicaproate of 17u-methyl-A -androstene-3B,17 3,

19-triol,

The 3,19-dicaproate of 17a-ethinyl-Mandrostene-BB,17B,

19-triol,

The 3,19,20-tricaproate of l6amethyl-A -pregnene-3 13,17a,

19,20 8-tetro1,

Example L The starting compounds of Example XLIX were treated following exactly the procedure described in that example, except that caproic anhydride was substituted by acetic anhydride, propionic anhydride, enanthic anhydride and cyclopentylpropionic anhydride, thus affording respectively the corresponding acetates, propionates, enanthates, and cyclopentylpropionates of said starting compounds.

We claim:

1. A process for the production of 5a-halo-4B,l9-oxido steroids selected from the group consisting of the androstane, pregnane and sapogenin series which comprises treating the corresponding 5a-halo-4fl-hydroxy 19-unsubstituted compound with a positive halogen donor in a nonpolar organic solvent free from active hydrogen atoms.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein the halogen donor is selected from the group consisting of N-haloamides and N-haloimides of the following formulae:

0 o H /h\ s g I1I -X1 R10 N X1 wherein R is a lower alkyl group; R is selected from the group consisting of aromatic and aliphatic radicals of less than 8 carbon atoms; and X is a halogen of atomic Weight greater than 19.

. 3. The process of claim 2 wherein the reaction is carried out in the presence of iodine.

4. The process of claim 1 wherein the halogen donor is a hydrocarbon carboxylic acyl hypohalite of less than 12 carbon atoms.

5. The process of claim 4 wherein the acyl hypohalite is prepared in situ by. the action of a metal hydrocarbon carboxylic acylate of less than 12 carbon atoms which on ionization produces a cation with a reduction potential larger than +0.3 v., with respect to its closest reduced state, on a halogen of atomic weight greater than 19.

6. The process of claim 5 wherein'the metal acylate is lead tetraacetate and the halogen is iodine.

7. The process of claim 5 wherein the metal acylate is mercuric diacetate and the halogen is iodine.

8. The process of claim 5 wherein the metal acylate is silver acetate and the halogen is iodine.

9. A process for the production of a l9-hydroxy-A steroid selected from the group consisting of the androstane, pregnane and sapogenin series which comprises treating the corresponding compound selected from the group consisting of 5oc-Ch1OIO-4fi,l9-OX1C1O and 5a-bromo- 4,6,19-oxido steroids with a reagent selected from the group consisting of metals with an oxidation potential between +3.045 and +1.51 volts'inclusive, in solvents free from active hydrogen atoms; metals with an oxidation potential between +1.5 and +0.126 volts inclusive, in lower aliphatic alcohols; metals with an oxidation potential between +1.5 and +0.126 volts inclusive, in liquid hydrocarbon carboxylic acids of less than 12 carbon atoms; salts which on ionization give cations with an oxidation potential between +0.61 and +0.25 volt inclusive, in lower aliphatic ketones; salts which on ionization give cations with an oxidation potential between +0.61 and +0.25 volt inclusive in lower aliphatic alcohols; metal iodides in lower aliphatic ketones, and metal iodides in lower aliphatic alcohols.

10. The process of claim 9, wherein the reagent is zinc in a lower aliphatic alcohol.

11. The process of claim 9 wherein the reagent is zinc in a liquid hydrocarbon carboxylic acid of less than 12 carbon atoms.

12. The process of claim 10 wherein the alcohol is ethanol,

13. The process of claim 11 wherein the acid is acetic acid.

14. The process of claim 9, wherein the reagent is zinccopper couple in a lower aliphatic alcohol.

15. The process of claim 9, wherein the reagent is sodium metal in a solvent free from active hydrogen atoms.

16. The process of claim 9, wherein the reagent is chromous chloride in a lower aliphatic ketone.

sodium iodide in a lower aliphatic ketone.

References Cited by the Examiner.

UNITED LEWIS GOTTS, Primary Examiner. 17. The process of claim 9 wherein the reagent is 10 ELBERT L. ROBERTS, HENRY A. FRENCH,

Assistant Examiners. 

1. A PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF 5A-HALO-4B, 19-OXIDO STEROIDS SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF THE ANDROSTANE, PREGNANE AND SAPOGENIN SERIES WHICH COMPRISES TREATING THE CORRESPONDING 5A-HALO-4B-HYDROXY 19-UNSUBSTITUTED COMPOUND WITH A POSITIVE HALOGEN DONOR IN A NONPOLAR ORGANIC SOLVENT FREE FROM ACTIVE HYDROGEN ATOMS. 